I look at a lot of pictures of homes for sale.Kinda goes with the territory.It can be enjoyable to take a glimpse at places for sale, seeing how rooms are connected, where people put furniture, arrange pictures, landscape and such.It can also be somewhat startling. While the vast majority of properties on the market are in good shape and nicely shown, there are some homes that are in need of a bit of TLC and some heavy-duty sprucing up.So, for all those sellers out there looking to get that home on the market or those sellers who might not be getting the type of interest from buyers that they would like, now is the time — task time. With splendid skies and temperate temperatures, this glorious spring should be a tip to get with the program and tackle that house that has been slumbering through the winter.Spring has sprung. Get busy.

READY TO SET ‘SALE’Real estate professionals will be the first to tell a seller that the property must be in good shape to sell.Despite the fact many local agents have reported upticks in activity (and some areas are even noting reductions in the amount of inventory), there are still lots of selections for the buyer from which to choose.

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A house with some deferred maintenance is going to be overlooked for the one down the street that has fresh landscaping, pristine paint and a well-tended look.So take a bit of time to enjoy the outdoors and look at the home wit a critical eye.Pay attention to the landscaping, the house, the trim and all the small details that might have gone unnoticed or overlooked.A good place to start during this spectacular weather is the landscaping.“You want your landscaping to be one percent better than everybody else around,” said Scott G. Brannon of LATTER & BLUM, Inc./Realtors. “When they walk up and they look left and they look right, you want the best garden.”While the landscaping should be in keeping with the style and price-level of the house, sellers are encouraged to fix those issue which might plague houses of any price range or style.“It is well worth the money to go ahead and cure whatever that problem is,” said Brannon, which might include bare spots on the lawn where majestic oaks grow, new or polished numbers and doorknobs for the house and even a fresh mailbox.Over time, residents tend to become complacent with the look of the house and start to overlook things that a buyer will spy quickly.“People who have lived there have gotten used to it like that and don’t even notice the flaws any more.” said Tom French of RE/MAX Real Estate Partners. “Every seller looks at their property as something really special.”

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And to them, of course, it is. It has been home.But while a seller might “see a castle,” said French, a buyer might only see a such things as a bit of mildew on the side of the house or a yard that is not up to par with the asking price of the house.“Curb appeal can make or break a house,” he said, “whether or not it even gets shown.”Buffing up the look of the outside will help get the buyer out of the car and into the house, especially if the gardens are commensurate with the price of the house. But in all cases, make certain the exterior of the house is clean (including the gutters, walkways, driveways, patios, shutters, windows and doors) and inviting.Other exterior aspects to consider include any lighting (make certain they work), fans (in working order and clean) and the doorbell (a clean button and working chime are critical).BRIDGING THE VIEWOnce inside, making the buyer feel comfortable and welcome is important.Windows can be the point where a home bridges the span between inside and outside. Through this view, the potential resident can survey their “kingdom.”Whether a house is inhabited or vacant, make sure that view of the kingdom is one that shines.“Cleaning the windows is always a big item,” said Karin Lorenz Crosby of COLDWELL BANKER TEC Realtors, adding that another aspect of the windows includes “cleaning the screens.“It allows the light to shine through the house a little bit better. You see through those windows a little bit better.”While pressure washing might be good for the exterior of the house, windows and screens can suffer from the strong force of a blast that will remove dirt and mildew from siding, brick or stucco. A gentle hand might be the best thing.

JAMES GAFFNEY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

The chorus of real estate pros is harmonious when it comes to general inside images to entice the future resident.Declutter the entire house, including closets, workshops, mudrooms, playrooms and every other room of the house.And depersonalize things as much as possible. Agents note that many home buyers are looking for move-in-ready digs, not wanting to have to do much to get comfortable. Neutral palettes are best for walls, ceilings and floors, especially when a seller might be replacing those things before putting the house on the market.

MOVING ONBut what about a seller who might already have moved on, taking their furniture and belongings to the new place?Without the usual trappings of life (pictures, furniture, clothes, etc.), a home becomes a building. Signs of wear and tear, imperfections and the “ghosts” of residents past can show up quickly.Anyone looking to sell an empty house should consider a few critical issues, starting with the lawn — the first thing a buyer will see.“Everybody driving by and everybody in the neighborhood is looking at it,” said Glenn Kirby of GARDNER, REALTORS. “Hire somebody to cut it every week and maintain it. It helps to keep pest away — makes the neighborhood more friendly.”And inside?A couple of options are available.Sellers should make the extra effort to be certain the place is spotless. Walls, carpets, corners, cabinets, closets, baseboards and even patios should be thoroughly cleaned. Change knobs on doors and cabinets if they are broken, worn or missing.If the carpets are not in great shape, consider replacing them.Keep the utilities turned on so showing the home is comfortable (in warmer weather), safe (at later hours) and inviting.All that extra space may look expansive, but some buyers want to furniture arrangements.“There are people who will do professional staging,” said Kirby. They do everything” from furniture placement to floral arrangements for showings.“That’s becoming more popular with vacant homes.”

JAMES GAFFNEY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

WEATHER OR NOTWhether the weather is a motivating factor or if the timing is just right to get those tasks done, get with the program and get busy on those little projects that can make a big difference when trying to sell a home.The real estate agents all agree — a well-presented home will often sell more quickly and generally for a better price than a home showing signs of deferred maintenance.Talk to a Realtor about what needs to be done to improve the look, feel and even smell of the home before putting on the market. They have experience and bring a critical and fresh eye to the home.And enjoy the great weather and the prospect of making a sale.